The Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Project is a collaboration between Greater Wellington Regional Council, the Department of Conservation, South Wairarapa District Council, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, and Rangitāne o Wairarapa.  

The Wairarapa Moana area includes Lakes Wairarapa and Ōnoke, their neighbouring wetlands, Lake Domain, the Wairarapa Lake Shore Scenic Reserve and Ōnoke Spit. 

Lake Wairarapa is a shallow lake covering 78 square kilometres. It is the third largest lake in the North Island of New Zealand.

Since 2008, the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Project has been striving to restore our wetlands.

Together with the local community, we work to enhance the native ecology, the recreational and cultural values of the moana.

The Project began as a way for the partner organisations to pool resources and expertise. This project demonstrates how much we achieve by working together.

Project governance is provided by the Wairarapa Moana Governance Group. 

At the heart of our partnership is a mutual desire to Restore our wetland treasure; Whakaora te repo ka ora te taonga wai­. Our vision for the future is that:

• Wairarapa Moana is valued as a place of cultural and historical significance that inspires our future.

• Healthy water in Wairarapa Moana nurtures all native plants, animals and their ecosystems.

• Wairarapa Moana underpins environmental, customary, recreational and commercial values that benefit the wider community.